On Friday 29th October 2010 my wife and I boarded Fred Olsen's cruise ship Black Watch at Southampton for a 14 day cruise to Casablanca and the Canary Islands. It was our first time sailing with this company, our other cruises being with M.V. Discovery and Oriana. We were very pleasantly surprised with the ship, the standard of cleanliness, attentive staff, excellent food and overall an extremely happy and pleasant holiday. The company and the ship are highly recommended, and we will certainly travel with that line again in the future. The photographs below give a flavour of our voyage.

Black Watch our home for 14 days

First night floor show

Observation Lounge on the first night

Observation Lounge next day

CASABLANCA

Arriving Casablanca, Moroccan Navy Ship

Arriving Casablanca, Moroccan Navy Ships

Arriving Casablanca, Private yacht

Arriving Casablanca, Thopmson's Destiny

Hyatt Hotel Casablanca

Hassan II Mosque

Hassan II Mosque, Forecourt

Hassan Mosque, external mosaic decoration

Hassan Mosque, external mosaic panel

Hassan Mosque, roof which can be opened

Hassan Mosque, Prayer Hall,
note polished marble

Hassan Mosque, floor decoration

Hassan Mosque, Prayer Hall floor

Hassan Mosque, Exit hall floor

Hassan Mosque, Alcove ceiling detail

Hassan Mosque Washing area ceiling

Hassan Mosque, washing area floor

Hassan Mosque, mosaic decorated pillar

Public Gardens near Palace

Catholic Cathedral, modern stained glass

Decorated Wall in the Palace

Ornate Palace Gateway

Entrance to the Grand Bazaar, not so grand!

We found Casablanca, in the main, to be a very dirty place.... a typical former French Colony, reminded me very much of Djibouti in 1967. Once out of the main port area and into the former French suburbs, the situation was much nicer. Apart from the Hassan II Mosque, which was very spectacular and a huge building, in fact it is the 3rd biggest mosque in the world... paid for by Saudi Arabian money, there is nothing in Casablanca to draw us back for a second visit. From here we sailed to Las Palmas.